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Aussies set for Glasgow gold rush

Laine Clark

The swimming world sat up and took notice when Alicia Coutts grabbed five gold medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

But Coutts may struggle to grab the limelight even if she repeats her 2010 heroics at the Glasgow Games if all goes to plan for a revitalised Australian swimming team.

Coutts is again on track for five golds - a feat four other teammates could at least match in Scotland.

Remarkably, sprint king Cameron McEvoy and fellow 20-year-old Emma McKeon could leave Glasgow with six gold.

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And Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm may join Coutts with five.

The whippet-like McEvoy may find it hard to physically step out of the shadow of reigning 100m freestyle world champion James Magnussen, who is almost 25kg heavier and 10cm taller.

But McEvoy left him in the shade to claim a shock, maiden national 100m title in Brisbane in April and will again be the man Magnussen must beat to savour Glasgow gold.

Magnussen may have the world record (Brazilian Cesar Cielo's 46.91 seconds) in his sights this year after clocking 2014's fastest time of 47.59.

However, he'd better be looking over his shoulder at Glasgow after McEvoy emerged from Games trials as the national 50m, 100m and 200m king of the pool.

McEvoy spearheads a men's team no longer reliant on the girls to push their medal tally or hampered by the "toxic" environment of the London Olympic debacle.

There is no Eamon Sullivan (shoulder) but world champion breaststroker Christian Sprenger looks set to shine in what looms as an epic 100m duel with Olympic gold medallist Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa.

Still, the girls will be no slouches.

McKeon may threaten Coutts' golden girl title after booking a hectic Glasgow schedule.

The sister of national 400m champ David McKeon is on track to win the 100m, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly plus feature in all three relay teams.

Then there's world 100m freestyle champion Cate Campbell.

Her scorching pre-Games form has insiders believing Campbell (52.33 PB) can soon edge the elusive supersuit world record of Germany's Britta Steffen (52.07).

Australia are aiming for a maximum of 55 medals in the pool, eclipsing their Delhi total of 54 consisting of 22 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze.